Bachmann: I Can Deal With Iran

USA Today

It's been a long ride for Michele Bachmann since she won the Iowa Republican straw poll in August -- all the way down to sixth place in the latest Des Moines Register poll, just days before the Iowa caucuses kick off the GOP presidential race.

But Bachmann said on Fox News Sunday today that she will surprise in Tuesday's vote, citing her recent 99-county bus tour of Iowa featuring "thousands of people making conversions on the spot."

"We're running on the power of meeting Iowans directly," Bachmann said.

Also citing her performance in a Dec. 15 debate in Sioux City, Bachmann said that Iowa voters "saw in in me someone who can take it to Barack Obama."

Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman who serves on the House Intelligence Committee, also cited her foreign policy experience, saying voters realize she can deal with threats like Iran.

Like other candidates who trail in the Iowa polls, Bachmann assailed the opponent who now seems to have the momentum she once enjoyed: Rick Santorum, who is emerging as a major challenger to Iowa front-runners Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. Bachmann criticized Santorum for his spending record in Congress, saying he voted for the now-famous "bridge to nowwhere" in Alaska."

Bachmann also downplayed reports of disarray in her campaign, including the recent defections of two top aides.

"After the Fox debate (of Dec. 15), we had tremendous momentum that continues to this day," Bachmann said.